What Bolt.diy does#
Bolt.diy is the open source AI app builder from StackBlitz Labs. It lets developers run a prompt-to-app workflow similar to hosted Bolt.new while keeping control over the codebase, model keys, and deployment environment. Hosted Bolt.new is the commercial product at bolt.new; Bolt.diy is the MIT-licensed open source project this listing covers.
Who Bolt.diy is for#
Developers prototyping full-stack apps
Use Bolt.diy to test product ideas in a prompt-driven environment while keeping access to the generated code and project configuration.
Skip if
Skip if you need a fully managed commercial workspace and do not want to run or configure the project yourself.
Teams evaluating AI app builders
Use Bolt.diy when you want to compare a Lovable, v0, or hosted Bolt.new-style workflow against an open source project you can inspect.
Skip if
Skip if production governance requires a reviewed codebase before any generated app is deployed.
The problem it solves#
Hosted AI app builders can turn an idea into a working prototype quickly, but they also place the runtime, model configuration, and usage limits behind a commercial service. Teams that need the same prompt-to-app workflow with more control need an open source project they can inspect, run, and adapt. Bolt.diy fills that gap for developers who want browser-based app generation without treating the hosted Bolt.new product as the open source artifact.
How it solves it#
Prompt-to-app generation
Creates and edits full-stack web apps from natural language prompts, including project files and running previews.
Self-hosted project control
Runs as an open source project so technical teams can inspect the code, configure deployment, and manage updates themselves.
Bring your own model keys
Supports configuring AI providers so teams can use their preferred model accounts instead of depending only on a hosted service plan.
Strengths and trade-offs#
Strengths
- Open source path for Bolt-style workflowsBolt.diy gives developers a codebase they can run and inspect while keeping the fast app-generation loop that made hosted Bolt.new popular.
- Model-provider flexibilityTeams can configure supported AI providers with their own keys, which helps avoid tying every prototype to one hosted account or quota model.
Trade-offs
- -Self-hosting requires maintenanceBolt.diy gives more control than hosted Bolt.new, but teams still need to manage setup, provider keys, updates, security review, and deployment reliability.
Bolt.diy vs alternatives#
Bolt.diy vs hosted Bolt.new
Bolt.diy is the open source project for developers who want to run and inspect the app-builder code themselves. Hosted Bolt.new is the commercial browser service for users who want StackBlitz to manage the workspace experience.
Choose Bolt.diy when source access, self-hosting control, and provider-key configuration matter. Choose hosted Bolt.new when you prefer a managed product and accept its account, plan, and usage limits.
Install and self-host#
git clone https://github.com/stackblitz-labs/bolt.diy.git
cd bolt.diy
pnpm install
pnpm devWhat it's built on#
- Languages
- JavaScriptTypeScript
- Frameworks
- React
FAQ#
Is Bolt.diy the same as Bolt.new?
No. Bolt.new is the hosted commercial app builder from StackBlitz. Bolt.diy is the open source project from StackBlitz Labs that lets developers run a similar prompt-to-app workflow themselves.
Is Bolt.diy open source?
Yes. The StackBlitz Labs bolt.diy repository is MIT licensed and is the open source project this listing covers.
Who should use Bolt.diy?
Bolt.diy fits developers and technical teams that want an AI app builder they can run, inspect, and configure with their own model provider keys.
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